Assembled product and a method of assembling the product

ABSTRACT

An assembled product, such as an assembled product, such as a furniture component or a furniture, such as a drawer, a cupboard, bookshelves, a wardrobe, a kitchen fixture, or a box for storing or transporting including at least three panels arranged in three different planes. Also, a set of panels for an assembled product and a method of assembling the product.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of Swedish Application No. SE1351060-7, filed on Sep. 16, 2013, Swedish Application No. SE 1450022-7,filed on Jan. 10, 2014, Swedish Application No. SE 1450018-5, filed onJan. 10, 2014, and Swedish Application No. SE 1450034-2, filed on Jan.15, 2014. The entire contents of Swedish Application No. SE 1351060-7,Swedish Application No. SE 1450022-7, Swedish Application No. SE1450018-5, and Swedish Application No. SE 1450034-2 are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an assembled product, such as a box ora drawer, a furniture component or a furniture, and a method ofassembling the product. The assembled product is provided with a lockingdevice comprising a flexible tongue.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

A furniture provided with a mechanical locking system is known in, e.g.,WO 2012/154113 (A1). The furniture comprises a first panel connectedperpendicular to a second panel by a mechanical locking systemcomprising a flexible tongue in an insertion groove.

SUMMARY

It is an object of certain embodiments of the present disclosure toprovide an improvement over the above described techniques and knownart. A specific objective is to improve the method for assembling afurniture product.

A further object of embodiments of the disclosure is to provide a set ofpanels for an assembled product, such as a so-called flat-pack furnitureproduct, that are configured to be assembled without tools and a methodof assembling the product.

At least some of these and other objects and advantages that will beapparent from the description have been achieved by a set of panels foran assembled product. The set of panels are provided with one or morelocking devices. Each locking device comprises a flexible tonguearranged in an insertion groove at an edge of a panel, said flexibletongue cooperates with a tongue groove, at an adjacent edge of anadjacent panel, for locking the panel and the adjacent panel together.The locking device is configured such that the edge and the adjacentedge may be connected by hand. The set of panels comprises at least fourframe panels that are configured to be connected together at adjacentedges by at least one of said locking devices to obtain a frame,preferably of a rectangular shape. The set of panels comprises a fifthpanel, such as a back or bottom panel, which is configured to beconnected to a back or bottom edge of the frame by at least one of saidlocking devices.

The fifth panel is preferably configured be connected to a back or abottom edge of two of the frame panels, by at least one of said lockingdevices at each of said back or bottom edge.

The locking devices may comprise an edge section groove at the panel orat the adjacent panel. An edge section of the other of the panel or theadjacent panel may cooperate with said edge groove for locking the paneland the adjacent panel together. The flexible tongue and the tonguegroove cooperate for locking the panel and the adjacent panel togetherin a first direction and the edge section and the edge section groovecooperate for locking the panel and the adjacent panel together in asecond direction, perpendicular to the first direction.

The edge section may be provided with a calibrating groove.

The panels may be of plastic or wood fiber. For example, the panels maybe plastic panels or wood fibre based boards, e.g. HDF boards,particleboard or solid wood board. The panels may be provided with adecorative layer.

The assembled product may be a furniture component or a furniture, suchas a drawer, a cupboard, bookshelves, a wardrobe, a kitchen fixture, ora box for storing or transporting.

The insertion groove, of at least one of said locking devices, mayextend along essentially the entire length of the edge of the panel(e.g., at least 80% of the length of the panel).

The tongue groove, of at least one of said locking devices, may extendalong essentially the entire length of the adjacent edge of the adjacentpanel (e.g., at least 80% of the length of the adjacent panel).

A tongue groove and an insertion groove that extend along essentiallythe entire width of the panel and the adjacent panel (e.g., at least 80%of the width of the adjacent panel), respectively, may facilitate theproduction of the tongue groove and the insertion groove. The tonguegroove and the insertion groove may be produced by displacing the paneland the adjacent panel, respectively, pass a mechanical cutting tool,such as a fixed milling head.

Any of the panels may be provide with a dismantling groove at any of thelocking devices, said dismantling groove or recess is preferably adaptedfor insertion of a dismantling tool. The dismantling tool may beinserted into the dismantling groove or recess to un-lock the lockingdevice.

A second aspect of the disclosure is a method of assembling a set ofpanels to obtain an assembled product, the method comprising:

-   -   arranging a first panel, with a first main plane, perpendicular        to a second panel with a second main plane, wherein the first        main plane is perpendicular to the second main plane;    -   connecting by hand a first edge of the first panel to a first        edge of the second panel, by linearly displacing the first panel        and/or the second panel;    -   arranging a third panel, with a third main plane, perpendicular        to the first and the second panel, wherein the third main plane        is perpendicular to the first and the second main plane; and    -   connecting by hand a second edge of the third panel to a second        edge of the second panel, by linearly displacing the third panel        and/or second panel.

The method may further comprise the step of connecting by hand a firstedge of the third panel to a second edge of the first panel, by linearlydisplacing the third panel and/or the first panel.

The method may further comprise the steps of arranging a fourth panel,with a fourth main plane, perpendicular to the first and the thirdpanel, wherein the fourth main plane is parallel to the second mainplane, and connecting by hand a first edge of a fourth panel to a thirdedge of the first panel, by linearly displacing the fourth panel and/orthe first panel.

The method may further comprise the step of connecting by hand a thirdedge of the third panel to a second edge of the fourth panel, bylinearly displacing the third panel and/or the fourth panel.

The method may further comprise the steps of arranging a fifth panel,with a fifth main plane, perpendicular to the third and the fourthpanel, wherein the fifth main plane is parallel to the first main plane,and connecting by hand a first edge of the fifth panel to a third edgeof the second panel, and a third edge of a fifth panel to a third edgeof the fourth panel, by linearly displacing the fifth panel and/or thesecond and the fourth panel.

The set of panels may comprise at least five panels, wherein eachconnecting step comprises linearly displacing of one of the five panels.

The set of panels under the second aspect may comprise embodiments ofthe locking device described for use with the first aspect.

Each linear displacement may be executed in a direction parallel to thethird main plane.

Each connecting step may comprise a displacement of a part of a flexibletongue of a locking device, wherein a part of the flexible tongue isdisplaced into a tongue groove for locking an edge to an adjacent edge.

Each connecting step may comprise connecting two panels such that themechanically locked together in directions perpendicular to the mainplane of each of the two connected panels.

The panels may be of plastic or wood fiber. For example, the panels maybe wood fibre based boards, e.g. HDF boards, particleboard or solid woodboard, or plastic panels. The panels may be provided with a decorativelayer.

The assembled product may be a furniture component or a furniture, suchas a drawer, a cupboard, bookshelves, a wardrobe, a kitchen fixture, ora box for storing or transporting.

A third aspect of the disclosure is an assembled product comprising atleast three panels arranged in three different planes, a first panel isconnected essentially perpendicular to a second panel, and a third panelis connected essentially perpendicular to the second panel. Theassembled product comprises one or more locking devices, each comprisinga flexible tongue arranged in an insertion groove at a panel, saidflexible tongue cooperates with a tongue groove, at an adjacent panel,for locking the panel and the adjacent panel together. The second edgeof the second panel is connected to a second edge of the third panel bya first of said locking devices.

The panels may be of plastic or wood fiber. For example, the panels maybe wood fibre based boards, e.g. HDF boards, particleboard or solid woodboard, or plastic panels. The panels may be provided with a decorativelayer.

The assembled product may be a furniture component or a furniture, suchas a drawer, a cupboard, bookshelves, a wardrobe, a kitchen fixture, ora box for storing or transporting.

The three planes are preferably essentially perpendicular planes.

A first edge of the third panel may be connected to a first edge of thefirst panel by a second of said locking devices. The first panel and thesecond panel may be a first and a second board, respectively, of aframe, and the third panel may be the back piece, of a bookshelves or awardrobe. The third panel, such as a back piece, connected by the firstand the second of said locking devices, may increase the strength of theassembled product. The angle between first and the second panel may beguided by the angle between the first and the second edge of the thirdpanel. A bookshelves or a wardrobe with perpendicular corners may beobtained easily by embodiments of the disclosure. The first edge of thethird panel may be connected slideable along the first edge of the firstpanel in order to simplify assembling and disassembling.

A first edge of a sixth panel may be connected essentially perpendicularto the first panel, between the second and fourth panel. The sixth panelmay be essentially parallel to the second and fourth panel. The firstedge of the sixth panel may be connected by a seventh of said lockingdevices. The flexible tongue of the seventh of said locking devices ispreferably arranged in an insertion groove at the first edge of thesixth panel. The sixth panel may be a fixed shelf of the assembledproduct, e.g. a bookshelves.

A fourth panel may be connected essentially perpendicular to the firstpanel, wherein a third edge of the third panel may be connected to asecond edge of the fourth panel by a third of said locking devices.

The second and the fourth panel may be arranged essentially parallel andthe third panel may be connected slideable to the second and the fourthpanel in order to facilitate disassembling.

A fourth edge of the third panel may be arranged in a groove at a secondedge of a fifth panel. The fifth panel may be connected essentiallyperpendicular to the second and fourth panel.

The assembled product may be a semi product for a drawer, without thefifth panel that may be a front panel, and the first, second and fourthpanels may be boards of the frame and the third panel may be the bottomboard. The front panel may be connected essentially perpendicular to thesecond and fourth panel in the same factory as the semi product, inanother factory or carpentry or by a carpenter at a construction site.

A first edge of the fifth panel may be connected to a third edge of thesecond panel by a fourth of said locking devices, and a third edge ofthe fifth panel may be connected to a third edge of the fourth panel bya fifth of said locking devices.

A first edge of the first panel may be connected to a first edge of thesecond panel by a sixth of said locking devices.

A first edge of a fourth panel may be connected to a third edge of thefirst panels by a seventh of said locking devices.

The insertion groove, in at least one of said locking devices, mayextend along essentially the entire length of the panel (e.g., at least80% of the length of the panel).

The tongue groove, in at least one of said locking devices, may extendalong essentially the entire length of the adjacent panel (e.g., atleast 80% of the length of the adjacent panel).

A tongue groove and an insertion groove that extend along essentiallythe entire width of the panel and the adjacent panel (e.g., at least 80%of the width of the adjacent panel), respectively, may facilitate theproduction of the tongue groove and the insertion groove. The tonguegroove and the insertion groove may be produced by displacing the paneland the adjacent panel, respectively, pass a fixed milling head.

The flexible tongue, in at least one of said locking devices, may bedisplaceable in the insertion groove during locking and un-locking ofthe locking device.

The locking devices may comprise an edge section groove at the panel orat the adjacent panel. An edge section of the other of the panel or theadjacent panel may cooperate with said edge groove for locking the paneland the adjacent panel together. The flexible tongue and the tonguegroove cooperate for locking the panel and the adjacent panel togetherin a first direction and the edge section and the edge section groovecooperate for locking the panel and the adjacent panel together in asecond direction, perpendicular to the first direction.

The edge section may be provided with a calibrating groove.

The third panel may be provided with a dismantling groove or recess atone or more of said locking devices, said dismantling groove or recessis preferably adapted for insertion of a dismantling tool. Thedismantling tool may be inserted into the dismantling groove or recessto un-lock the locking device.

Any of the first, the second, the fourth or the fifth panel may beprovide with a dismantling groove at any of the locking devices, saiddismantling groove or recess is preferably adapted for insertion of adismantling tool. The dismantling tool may be inserted into thedismantling groove or recess to un-lock the locking device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will by way of example be described in moredetail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which showsembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 1A-B show embodiments of a locking device for a furnitureaccording to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-C show a furniture component or a furniture according toembodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-B show a furniture component or a furniture according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4A shows a method of assembling a furniture component or afurniture according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4B shows a corner section of a furniture component or a furnitureaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a partly assembled furniture or furniture componentaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 6A-D show embodiments of a locking device for a furnitureaccording to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7A shows an embodiment of a locking device for a furnitureaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 7B-C show embodiments of a locking device for a furniture and adisassembling tool according to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 7D-E show embodiments of a locking device provided with adisassembling recess and a disassembling tool

FIG. 8A-C show embodiments of a mechanical locking system for a back ora bottom panel according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a locking device for an assembled product according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10A shows a locking device for locking a back or a bottom panel toa frame according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10B shows a locking device for locking a shelf to a frame accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11A-H show flexible tongues according to embodiments of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of a locking device for locking a panel 4 to an adjacentpanel 2 is shown in FIGS. 1A-B. The panel and the adjacent panel may bepanels of a furniture that are connected perpendicular to each other,i.e. with a main surface of the panel perpendicular to a main surface ofthe adjacent panel. An edge section 22 of the panel 4 is arranged in anedge section groove 21 of the adjacent panel 2 for locking the panel andthe adjacent panel together in a first direction. The embodiment in FIG.1A comprises a flexible tongue 30 arranged in an insertion groove 20 inthe edge section groove 21 and a tongue groove 10 at the edge section22. The embodiment in FIG. 1B comprises a flexible tongue 30 arranged inan insertion groove 20 at the edge section 22 and a tongue groove in theedge section groove. The flexible tongue 30 and the tongue groove 10cooperate for locking the panel and the adjacent panel together in asecond direction, which is essentially perpendicular to the firstdirection. The flexible tongue is during assembling, of the panel andthe adjacent panel, pushed into the insertion groove when the edgesection is inserted into the edge section groove. The flexible tonguesprings back and into the tongue groove when the panel and the adjacentpanel have reached a connected state.

The panel may be a back piece of a bookshelves or a wardrobe and theadjacent panel may be a board of the frame. The panel may also be abottom panel of a drawer and the adjacent panel a board of the frame.Furthermore the panel and the adjacent panel may be a first and a secondboard respectively of a frame of a bookshelves, a wardrobe or a drawer.The back piece and the bottom may be a HDF board or a particleboard witha thickness of about 2-4 mm. Embodiments of the disclosure may compriseone or more of the locking devices described above.

FIG. 2A shows a furniture, such as a bookshelves, comprising eight ofthe locking devices, arranged with a side of the frame facing downwards.The furniture comprises a first panel 1, e.g. a side of the bookshelves,connected at a first edge to a first edge of a second panel 2, e.g. thetop of the bookshelves, by one of the locking devices. A first edge of athird panel 4, e.g. a rectangular back piece of the bookshelves, isconnected to a second edge of the second panel by another of the lockingdevices. A second edge of the third panel 4 is connected to second edgeof the first panel by another of said locking devices. A first edge of afourth panel 5, e.g. a bottom of the bookshelves, is connected to athird edge of the first panel by another of said locking devices. Anedge section of a third edge of the third panel 4 may be arranged in anedge section groove at a second edge of the fourth panel 5. A first edgeof a fifth panel 6, e.g. a side of the bookshelves, is connected to athird edge of the fourth panel 5, by another of said locking devices,and a third edge of the fifth panel is connected to a third edge of thesecond panel, by another of said locking devices. An edge section of afourth edge of the third panel 4 may be arranged in an edge sectiongroove at a second edge of the fifth panel 5. The locking device at thefirst and the second edge respectively of the third panel may eachcomprise two or more flexible tongues 30. A sixth panel 3, e.g. a shelfof the bookshelves, which is arranged parallel to the first and thefourth panel, is connected, by another of the locking devices, at afirst edge to the first to the first panel, and a third edge isconnected, by another of the locking devices, to the fifth panel. Theflexible tongue of the locking device at the first and third edge,respectively, of the sixth panel is preferably arranged at the edgesection 22.

FIG. 2B shows a cross section CS 2B of the first panel 1, the thirdpanel 4 and the fifth panel 6. The figure shows that an edge section ofthe fourth edge of the third panel may be arranged in edge sectiongroove at the second edge of the fifth panel 6. The third panel 4 maycomprise two or more boards 4 a-4 d locked by a mechanical lockingsystem. Embodiments of the mechanical locking system are shown in FIGS.8A-C. A second edge of the fifth panel may be provided with another ofthe locking devices (not shown) for connecting adjacent edges ofadjacent boards.

FIG. 2C shows a cross section CS 2C of the second and third panel 2, 4.The third panel is in this embodiment provided with a dismantling groove33 adapted for insertion of a dismantling tool, which pushes theflexible tongue into the insertion groove, which facilitates dismantlingof the second and third panel.

FIG. 3A shows a furniture, such as a bookshelves, comprising eight ofthe locking devices, arranged with a side of the frame facing downwards.The furniture comprises a first panel 1, e.g. a side of the bookshelves,connected at a first edge to a first edge of a second panel 2, e.g. thetop of the bookshelves, by one of the locking devices. A first edge of athird panel 4, e.g. a rectangular back piece of the bookshelves, isconnected to a second edge of the second panel by another of the lockingdevices. An edge section of a second edge of the third panel 4 may beinserted into an edge section groove of a second edge of the firstpanel. A first edge of a fourth panel 5, e.g. a bottom of thebookshelves, is connected to a third edge of the first panel by anotherof said locking devices. A third edge of the third panel 4 is connectedto a second edge of the fourth panel 5 by another of said lockingdevices. A first edge of a fifth panel 6, e.g. a side of thebookshelves, is connected to a third edge of the fourth panel 5, byanother of said locking devices, and a third edge of the fifth panel isconnected to a third edge of the second panel, by another of saidlocking devices. An edge section of a fourth edge of the third panel 4may be arranged in an edge section groove at a second edge of the fifthpanel 5. The locking device at the first and the third edge respectivelyof the third panel may each comprise two or more flexible tongues 30. Asixth panel 3, e.g. a shelf of the bookshelves, which is arrangedparallel to the first and the fourth panel, is connected, by another ofthe locking devices, at a first edge to the first to the first panel,and a third edge is connected, by another of the locking devices, to thefifth panel. The flexible tongue of the locking device at the first andthird edge, respectively, of the sixth panel is preferably arranged atthe edge section 22. The third panel is preferably connected slideableat the first and the third edge in order to facilitate disassembling.

FIG. 3B shows a cross section CS 3B of the first panel 1, the thirdpanel 4 and the fifth panel 6. The third panel 4 may comprise two ormore boards 4 a-b locked by the mechanical locking system describedabove.

FIG. 4A shows an embodiment of a method for assembling the assembledproduct described under FIG. 2A-C. The first, second and sixth panel 1,2, 3 are preferably connected to each other before the third panel isconnected. The third panel may be displaced in a diagonal direction 41such that the first and the second edge of the third panel is connectedat the same time to the second edge of the first panel and to the secondedge of the second panel. A preferred alternative for assembling thepanels comprises:

-   -   arranging a first panel 1, with a first main plane,        perpendicular to a second panel 2 with a second main plane,        wherein the first main plane is perpendicular to the second main        plane;    -   connecting by hand a first edge of the first panel 1 to a first        edge of the second panel, by linearly displacing the first panel        and/or the second panel;    -   arranging a third panel 4, with a third main plane,        perpendicular to the second and the third panel, wherein the        third main plane is perpendicular to the first and the second        main plane;    -   connecting by hand a second edge of the third panel 4 to a        second edge of the second panel, by linearly displacing 43 the        third panel 4 and/or second panel;    -   connecting by hand a first edge of the third panel 4 to a second        edge of the first panel 1, by linearly displacing 42 the third        panel and/or the first panel 1;    -   arranging a fourth panel 5, with a fourth main plane,        perpendicular to the first and the third panel, wherein the        fourth main plane is parallel to the second main plane, and        connecting by hand a first edge of a fourth panel 5 to a third        edge of the first panel 1, by linearly displacing the fourth        panel 5 and/or the first panel 1; and    -   arranging a fifth panel 6, with a fifth main plane,        perpendicular to the third and the fourth panel, wherein the        fifth main plane is parallel to the first main plane, and        connecting by hand a first edge of the fifth panel to a third        edge of the second panel, and a third edge of a fifth panel to a        third edge of the fourth panel, by linearly displacing the fifth        panel 6 and/or the second and the fourth panel.

Each linear displacement is preferably executed in a direction parallelto the third main plane.

The first edge of the third panel 4 is in this alternative connecteddisplaceable at the first edge. Another alternative is to displace thethird panel in the second direction 43 perpendicular to the second paneland subsequently displace the third panel in the first direction 43perpendicular to the first panel. The second edge of the third panel 4is in this embodiment connected displaceable at the second edge.

FIG. 4B shows that a corner section between e.g. the first and thesecond panel may be provided with a cover plate, in order to hide thelocking device.

FIG. 5 shows a furniture, such as a drawer, comprising six of thelocking devices, arranged with a side of the frame facing downwards. Thefurniture comprises a first panel 1, e.g. an inner side of the drawer,connected at a first edge to a first edge of a second panel 2, e.g. aside of the drawer, by one of the locking devices. A first edge of athird panel 4, e.g. a rectangular bottom of the drawer, is connected toa second edge of the second panel by another of the locking devices. Anedge section of a second edge of the third panel 4 may be inserted intoan edge section groove of a second edge of the first panel. A first edgeof a fourth panel 5, e.g. a side of the drawer, is connected to a thirdedge of the first panel by another of said locking devices. A third edgeof the third panel 4 is connected to a second edge of the fourth panel 5by another of said locking devices. A first edge of a fifth panel 6,e.g. a front panel of the drawer, is subsequently connected to a thirdedge of the fourth panel 5, by another of said locking devices, and athird edge of the fifth panel is connected to a third edge of the secondpanel, by another of said locking devices. An edge section of a fourthedge of the third panel 4 may be arranged in an edge section groove at asecond edge of the fifth panel 5. The locking device at the first andthe third edge respectively of the third panel may each comprise two ormore flexible tongues 30. The third panel is preferably connectedslideable at the first and the third edge in order to facilitatedisassembling. A preferred alternative for assembling the panelscomprises:

-   -   arranging a first panel 1, with a first main plane,        perpendicular to a second panel 2 with a second main plane,        wherein the first main plane is perpendicular to the second main        plane;    -   connecting by hand a first edge of the first panel 1 to a first        edge of the second panel, by linearly displacing the first panel        and/or the second panel;    -   arranging a third panel 4, with a third main plane,        perpendicular to the second and the third panel, wherein the        third main plane is perpendicular to the first and the second        main plane;    -   connecting by hand a second edge of the third panel 4 to a        second edge of the second panel, by linearly displacing 43 the        third panel 4 and/or second panel;    -   arranging a fourth panel 5, with a fourth main plane,        perpendicular to the first and the third panel, wherein the        fourth main plane is parallel to the second main plane, and        simultaneous connecting by hand, by linearly displacing the        fourth panel 5, a first edge of a fourth panel 5 to a third edge        of the first panel 1 and a third edge of the third panel 3 to a        second edge of the fourth panel 5; and    -   arranging a fifth panel 6, with a fifth main plane,        perpendicular to the third and the fourth panel, wherein the        fifth main plane is parallel to the first main plane, and        connecting by hand a first edge of the fifth panel to a third        edge of the second panel, and a third edge of a fifth panel to a        third edge of the fourth panel, by linearly displacing 44 the        fifth panel 6.

FIGS. 6A-B show alternative embodiments of the locking device.Embodiments are shown with a calibrating groove 40 at one or two sidesof the edge section. The tongue groove 10 may be symmetric such that thesame dismantling tool can be used at opposite positions of the lockingdevice, i.e. mirror inverted locking devices. The edge section groovemay be provided with a guiding surface 32 that facilitates insertion ofthe edge section into the edge section groove. The edge section groovemay be provided with two opposite tongue grooves 10. Two opposite tonguegrooves may be easily made by an end cutter, by e.g. a craftsman onsite.

FIG. 7A shows that the embodiment with two opposite tongue grooves 10may be provided with two flexible tongues 30.

FIG. 7B-C show disassembling of the locking device by inserting asymmetric dismantling tool 90 into a symmetric tongue groove 10.

FIG. 7D-E show alternative embodiments provided with a dismantlingrecess 34. These embodiments may be an alternative to the embodimentshown in FIG. 2C, if for example it is desired to un-lock the lockingdevice from the inside of a furniture, such as a drawer, a box or abook. These embodiments may also be used to connect the fifth panel tothe second and fourth panel in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A. Thetongue 30 is arranged in the edges section groove in FIG. 7B and at theedge section in FIG. 7E. The edge section is provided with a dismantlinggroove 34 which adapted to a dismantling tool 90. The tongue 30 ispushed back into the displacement groove 20, and un-lock the lockingdevice, when the dismantling tool is inserted into the dismantlingrecess. The dismantling recess may be covered by a covering plate (notshown). The embodiments with the dismantling groove or recess areparticular advantageous for embodiment which do not have tongue groovewhich is accessible from an outer end of the tongue groove for insertionof a dismantling tool. However, the embodiments with the dismantlinggroove or recess may be used to connect any adjacent panels in order tofacilitate disassembling.

FIG. 8A shows an embodiment of the mechanical locking system comprisinga tongue 64 at a first edge of a first board that cooperates with atongue groove 50 at a second edge of a second board for locking thefirst and the second board in a first direction. Furthermore, thelocking system comprises a protruding strip 70 with a locking panel 71at the second edge. The locking panel 71 cooperates with a lockinggroove 80 at the first edge for locking the first and the second boardin a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction.The boards and the locking system is preferably arranged in theassembled product, with the locking strip facing the direction that isto be loaded. The locking system may remain locked if arranged in thisway.

FIG. 8B shows another embodiment of a panel, such as a back or bottompanel, comprising a first 8 a and a second board 8 b provided with amechanical locking system configured to lock the first 4 a and thesecond board 4 b together.

The first main plane of the first board is essentially parallel to asecond main plane of the second board, wherein the panel comprises afirst face 85 and an opposite second face 86 which are parallel to amain plane of the panel, The mechanical locking system comprising:

a first tongue 64 provided at a first edge of the first board 8 a,wherein the first tongue is configured to cooperate with a first tonguegroove 50 provided at a second edge of the second board 8 b for lockingtogether the first and the second panel in a first vertical directionV1;

a second tongue 72 at the second edge of the second board 8 b, whereinthe second tongue is configured to cooperate with a second tongue groove73 at the first edge of the first panel 8 a for locking together thefirst and the second panel in a second vertical direction V2;

a first pair of locking surfaces 83 provided at the first face forlocking together the first board 8 a and the second board 8 b in a firsthorizontal direction H1; and second pair of locking surfaces 84 providedat the second face for locking together the first board 8 a and thesecond board (8 b in a second horizontal direction (H2).

The first pair of locking surfaces (83) are preferably essentiallyvertical. The second pair of locking surfaces 84 are also preferablyessentially vertical.

The first tongue 64 and the first tongue groove 50 cooperate at a thirdpair of locking surfaces 87 that are preferably arranged essentiallyhorizontally.

The second tongue 72 and the second tongue groove 73 cooperate at afourth pair of locking surfaces 74 that are preferably arranged at anangle 88 to the main plane of the panel that is greater than zero. Theangle 88 is elected to allow the first board to be locked to the secondboard by an angling motion of the first panel, wherein the first tongue64 is inserted in the first tongue groove 50, as is shown in FIG. 8C.

The first face 85 is arranged upwards, or in the direction were thegreatest load F1 is likely to be applied, to prevent that the first andthe second board are unlocked by a reversed angling motion.

The second face 86 is arranged downwards, or in the direction were thesmallest load F2 is likely to be applied on the panel. The second tongueand the tongue groove may provide a resistance for unlocking of thefirst and the second board by a reversed angling motion.

The angle 88 may be in the range of about 30° to about 60°. The angle ispreferably about 45°.

FIG. 9 shows a preferred embodiment of the locking device for lockingtogether a panel and an adjacent panel of the frame panels 1, 2, 4, 5.The locking device comprises a first thickness 55 of a core material,between an edge section groove 21 and a first edge. The first thicknessis greater than a minimum second thickness 54 of a core material of anedge section 22. The ratio between the first thickness 55 and theminimum second thickness 54 may be at least about 1.25; preferably atleast about 1.5; and more preferably at least about 2. A preferred ratiobetween the first thickness 55 and the minimum second thickness 54 is inthe range of about 1.1 to about 3.

An embodiment comprises an edge section groove 21 that comprises a firstwall 56 and a second wall 57, wherein the first wall is closer to the anedge of the panel than the second wall. The first thickness 55 ispreferably measured between the first wall 56 and the first edge 53. Thefirst and the second walls 56, 57 are preferably connected by a bottomwall 58.

The edge section 22 may comprise a first wall and an opposite secondwall, wherein the tongue groove 10 is provided in the first wall. Theminimum second thickness 54 may be measured between a bottom of thetongue groove and the second wall.

An embodiment of the insertion groove 20 that extends along essentiallythe entire length of the edge section groove of first edge may lead toan easier production. An embodiment of the tongue groove 10 that extendsalong essentially the entire length of the edge section of the secondedge may also lead to an easier production.

The edge 53 of the panel 2 is in a preferred embodiment providedessentially in the same plane as an outer face 63 of the adjacent secondpanel 4.

An edge of the opening of the edge section groove may be provided with abevel 59 or rounding in order to facilitate the insertion of a flexibletongue 30 into the insertion groove 20.

FIG. 10A shows an embodiment of a locking device for locking the thirdpanel 4, such as a back piece or a bottom panel, to any back or bottomedge 81 of the frame. An embodiment of the frame is shown in FIGS. 2A,3A and 5.

FIG. 10B shows an embodiment of a locking device for locking the sixthpanel 3, such as a shelf, to any panel 82 of the frame. A first edge ofthe sixth panel may be connected to the frame by linearly displacementand/or an angling motion. An embodiment of the frame is shown in FIG. 2Aand FIG. 3A.

An embodiment of the flexible tongue 30, which is displaceable in aninsertion groove 20, is shown in FIGS. 11A-11D. FIGS. 11A-B show theflexible tongue in a locked potion and FIGS. 11C-D show the flexibletongue during assembling of the a panel and an adjacent panel. FIG. 11Bshows a cross section of the flexible tongue in FIG. 11A. FIG. 11D showsa cross section of the flexile tongue in FIG. 11C. The flexible tonguecomprises bendable protruding parts 24. A space 23 is provided betweenthe tongue and a bottom wall of the insertion groove 20. FIG. 11C showsthat the flexible tongue is pushed into the insertion groove 20 andtowards the bottom wall during the assembling of the panel. The tonguesprings back when the first and the second panel have reached a lockedposition. A recess 25 is preferably arranged at each bendable protrudingpart.

The flexible tongue may have a first displacement surface 26 and aopposite second displacement surface 27, configured to be displacedalong a third and a fourth displacement surface 28, 29, respectively, ofthe insertion groove 20.

An alternative embodiment of the flexible tongue 30, without theprotruding bendable parts, is shown in FIG. 11E-F. FIG. 11F shows across section of the tongue in FIG. 11E. The alternative embodiment isbendable in its length direction in order to accomplish the samefunction as the embodiment shown in FIG. 11A-D.

A further embodiment of the flexible tongue 30 is shown in FIG. 11G-H.FIG. 11G shows the flexible tongue 30 before the panel and the adjacentpanel are locked together by the flexible tongue. The flexible tonguecomprises an inner part 31 provided with wedge elements and an outerpart for the locking together the panel and the adjacent panel by theflexible tongue. The locking is obtained by applying a force P, in adirection parallel to the first edge, at a short edge of the outer part.The force displaces the outer tongue part in the direction parallel tothe edge of the panel and the wedges force the outer tongue part in aperpendicular direction, out of the insertion groove 20. The resultingdisplacement 32 of the outer part of the flexible tongue is therefore ina direction between the direction parallel to the first edge and theperpendicular direction.

While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been describedherein, the present invention is not limited to the various preferredembodiments described herein but includes any and all embodiments havingequivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g. ofaspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations aswould be appreciated by those in the art based on the presentdisclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadlybased on the language employed in the claims and not limited to theexamples described in the present specification or during prosecution ofthe application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.

1. A set of panels for an assembled product, wherein the set of panelsis provided with one or more locking devices, each locking devicecomprises a flexible tongue arranged in an insertion groove at an edgeof a panel, said flexible tongue cooperates with a tongue groove at anadjacent edge of an adjacent panel, for locking the panel and theadjacent panel together, wherein the locking device is configured suchthat the edge and the adjacent edge may be connected by hand, the set ofpanels comprises at least four frame panels that are configured to beconnected together at adjacent edges by at least one of said lockingdevices to obtain a frame, wherein the set of panels comprises a fifthpanel, which is configured to be connected to a back or bottom edge ofthe frame by at least one of said locking devices.
 2. The set of panelsas claimed in claim 1, wherein the fifth panel is configured beconnected to a back or a bottom edge of two of the frame panels, by atleast one of said locking devices at each of said back or bottom edge.3. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the lockingdevice comprises an edge section groove at the panel or at the adjacentpanel, wherein an edge section of the other of the panel or the adjacentpanel cooperate with said edge groove for locking the panel and theadjacent panel together, wherein the flexible tongue and the tonguegroove cooperate for locking the panel and the adjacent panel togetherin a first direction and the edge section and the edge section groovecooperate for locking the panel and the adjacent panel together in asecond direction, perpendicular to the first direction.
 4. The set ofpanels as claimed in claim 3, wherein the edge section is provided witha calibrating groove.
 5. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1,wherein the panels are plastic panels or wood fibre based boards.
 6. Theset of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one panel isprovided with a decorative layer.
 7. The set of panels as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the assembled product is a furniture component or afurniture.
 8. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein theinsertion groove, of at least one of said locking devices, extends alongessentially the entire length of the edge of the panel.
 9. The set ofpanels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tongue groove, of at least oneof said locking devices, extends along essentially the entire length ofthe adjacent edge of the adjacent panel.
 10. A method of assembling aset of panels to obtain an assembled product, the method comprising:arranging a first panel, with a first main plane, perpendicular to asecond panel with a second main plane, wherein the first main plane isperpendicular to the second main plane; connecting by hand a first edgeof the first panel to a first edge of the second panel, by linearlydisplacing the first panel and/or the second panel; arranging a thirdpanel, with a third main plane, perpendicular to the first and thesecond panel, wherein the third main plane is perpendicular to the firstand the second main plane; and connecting by hand a second edge of thethird panel to a second edge of the second panel, by linearly displacingthe third panel and/or second panel.
 11. The method as claimed in claim10, comprising connecting by hand a first edge of the third panel to asecond edge of the first panel, by linearly displacing the third paneland/or the first panel.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 10,comprising arranging a fourth panel, with a fourth main plane,perpendicular to the first and the third panel, wherein the fourth mainplane is parallel to the second main plane, and connecting by hand afirst edge of a fourth panel to a third edge of the first panel, bylinearly displacing the fourth panel and/or the first panel.
 13. Themethod as claimed in claim 12, comprising connecting by hand a thirdedge of the third panel to a second edge of the fourth panel, bylinearly displacing the third panel and/or the fourth panel.
 14. Themethod as claimed in claim 12, comprising arranging a fifth panel, witha fifth main plane, perpendicular to the third and the fourth panel,wherein the fifth main plane is parallel to the first main plane, andconnecting by hand a first edge of the fifth panel to a third edge ofthe second panel, and a third edge of a fifth panel to a third edge ofthe fourth panel, by linearly displacing the fifth panel and/or thesecond and the fourth panel.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 10,wherein the set of panels comprises at least five panels, wherein eachconnecting step comprises linearly displacing of one of the five panels.16. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein each linear displacementis be executed in a direction parallel to the third main plane.
 17. Themethod as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one connecting comprisesdisplacing a part of a flexible tongue of a locking device into a tonguegroove for locking an edge and an adjacent edge together.